"YO!" Ember said, slamming his breakfast plate down.

"Grhu," Nick said, covering his ears.

"What?" Yale asked.

"What's with him?" Ember asked.

"He got drunk last night," Yale said.

"Was he caught?" Ember asked.

"No," Yale replied.

"All's good," Ember said, turning to his coffee.

"Look," Nick said, "If you're gonna be loud, at least tell me there's news to make you loud."

"Oh yeah," Ember said. "The students for the tournament are arriving."

"Oh nice," Yale said.

"Also," Ember began, "I heard there was this big fight at the docks. White Fang against some of the girls from Team RWBY."

"Seriously?" nick asked. "Which?"

"Dunno," Ember replied. "I think Ruby was there. She won't explain how or why though."

"Why is Team RWBY always getting into stuff like this?" Brass asked, joining them.

Ever since the tournament Brass had begun to distance himself from Team CRDL. He'd also started showing up to some, though still not all, the team practices Ember scheduled. From time to time he'd even hang out his own team, but still not very often. It wasn't a big change, but it was more than enough for Ember.

"I mean," Brass continued, "They did this thing. They fought the Ursa in Forever Fall – "

"That was JNPR," Ember corrected.

"Huh?" Brass asked. "I thought it was RWBY."

"Nope, JNPR," Yale agreed.

"Did Pyrrha fight it," Brass asked.

"I heard Jaune did," Ember said.

"I heard both," Nick said. "I think it was probably Pyrrha. Jaune isn't really the best fighter around."

"I just heard JNPR," Yale said.

"Why would Pyrrha help out CRDL?" Ember asked.

"Why would Jaune?" Brass asked.

"Fair point," Ember agreed. "Yeah, probably Pyrrha. She doesn't seem like someone to not help out."

"You said other students arrived," Yale shifted the conversation.

"Oh yeah," Ember said, lighting up. "There was a boat that came into port yesterday. It had some kids from Vacuo and Mistral."

"Atlas?" Brass asked.

"I don't think so," Ember answered.

"Who's in Atlas?" Yale asked.

"My brothers," Brass answered.

"Are they with the military?" Nick asked from the table.

"No," Brass said, "They just live there. They aren't too fond of how Ironwood runs things up there. That's partly the reason I was sent to Beacon."

"Why don't they like Atlas?" Yale inquired.

"They think it pushes its students to enlist too much," Brass answered.

"Yeah, I can see that," Yale affirmed.

"Why is that so bad?" Nick asked. "You're helping people either way."

"My family isn't a fan of the military," Brass began. "They think Atlas Specials overlook the little missions too often. My family is dedicated to answering those jobs."

"Really? That's awesome," Ember said.

"My brothers are actually the ones who trained me to fight," Brass elaborated. "I got some training in the backyard with sticks and toy guns until I was eight. Then they taught me to use real weapons."

"At nine?!" Yale asked. "You could've hurt someone."

"I did," Brass said. "They gave me a shotgun. "

"Oh this won't end well," Nick muttered. "Give the kids a massive gun, it'll be fine."

"My older brother Iris," Brass continued, "was helping me steady the gun and warning me about the kick. We fired one round and it dislocated my right arm. We patched it up right away. Iris felt so bad and he kept apologizing and got me some ice cream."

"That wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting," Yale commented.

"Nah, the best stories come from our trips into the wilds outside the kingdom," Brass said.

"With all that training, why even come to Beacon?" Nick said. "You sound like you're already a Hunter."

"My brothers told me I need proper teaching," Brass said. "As much help as they are, they can only teach me practical skills. Also I can only get information on little missions if I'm a certified Hunter. Anyway, uh, you guys waiting for anyone?"

"My family is in town," Nick said. "I can see them whenever. I don't know anyone outside Vale."

"Only people I know are my teacher," Ember said. "I doubt she'll find the time to come here. The only other visitors I know are the guys I met the other day."

"Did you meet a full team?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Ember answered. "Team AQUA."

"Hehehe," Brass snickered. "AQUA?"

"This coming from Team EBNY," Ember countered.

"EBNY is a bad ass color," Brass defended. "AQUA? That's just so… weak."

"Oh and Ebony is such an edgy color," Nick joked. "Watch out!"

"Eh," Brass returned. "What about you Yale? Anyone outside the kingdom?"

"I've got a pen-pal in Mistral," Yale said. "She and her team are coming down for the tournament."

"Competing?" Ember asked.

"Yeah," Yale said.

"She?" Brass asked. "You gonna ask her to the dance."

"They won't be getting here until after the dance," Yale said. "Also, I already had someone in mind."

"Oh yeah," Ember realized, "the dance is just a few weeks out isn't it?"

"Who are you asking?" Nick asked.

"You'll see," Yale replied.

"Don't have a date yet chief?" Brass joked.

Ember looked confused before saying, "Date? Damn, I don't have much experience with that."

"Ha," Brass laughed. "Better get on it then."

With that Brass stood up. He'd finished his breakfast which had been twice the serving of anyone else. He was off to hang out with some other team or get in some personal training since it was still early.

"Do you have anyone in mind Ember?" Yale asked.

"Hm…" Ember thought. "Eh."

"Pyrrha," Nick teased.

"Really?" Yale acted surprised.

Everyone could tell Ember had an interest in Pyrrha. In fights she always had his attention and Yale constantly saw him glance at her. He was subtle enough that she wouldn't notice, but not enough that his team wouldn't notice.

"You think she'd go with me?" Ember mocked. "I'm nowhere near her league. I'd have better luck with someone like… Velvet."

"A second year?" Nick perked. "An older woman?"

"No, that's," Ember fumbled, "I meant… uh… "

"What did you mean?" someone asked from behind.

Ember turned to see Team CFVY sitting at the table behind them. Coco was peering over her shades at Ember with a look telling simply to pick his words carefully. Velvet was staring directly at Ember. Her look was playful but Ember was starting to panic.

"Uh… uh…" Ember stammered.

Ember turned around away from everyone else. He stared directly into his coffee cup without so much a breath. His legs were pulled together and his arms tucked in close. Velvet began to look concerned and Coco turned away exasperated. Yatsuhashi and Fox hadn't really taken any interest in it at all.

"It's alright Ember," Velvet soothed. "I think I know what you meant."

Ember simply nodded.

"Don't take it personally," Yale told Velvet. "This happens when he gets socially frustrated."

"Hehe," Nick snickered.

"You," Yale said sternly to Nick, "You know what you did."

"I do," he replied. "It was worth it."

"Come on Ember," Yale said. "We've got class soon."

"Mhm," Ember managed.

He quickly grabbed his plate and cup. He rushed to the dish area and dropped them off and was out the door in a matter of seconds. Yale and Nick followed behind him.


"Nick, you help Ember," Yale ordered.

"Why?" Nick complained.

"You embarrassed him this morning," Yale argued, "So you get to help him ask Pyrrha to the dance."

"He can handle talking one on one," Nick countered.

"Not when it's new territory," Yale continued. "He's never asked a girl out. Give him pointers."

"Fine," Nick said.

"Real pointers," Yale clarified. "If I find out you told him horrible advice… you'd better not."

"Why can't you do it?" Nick begged.

"I've got stuff to do," he answered.

"Hu," Nick sighed.

Nick returned to his computer games as Yale got his shoes on. Yale headed out of the dorm into the hallways. This was about the time that Brass could sometimes be found at the training floor. Yale had to ask him for some pointers which was why he couldn't give Ember pointers. The blind shouldn't be leading the blind.

Yale was in luck since he found Brass practicing his form in one of the training rooms. On top of that he was alone so Yale would feel more comfortable asking his questions. Hopefully Brass could be of some help, Yale didn't know who to ask outside the team for this.

"Hey, Brass," Yale called out.

Brass looked over as an acknowledgement. He finished his form routine before going over to Yale.

"Sup?" Brass asked, slightly winded.

"Hey, uh," Yale began. "You've asked girls out… you know?"

"Yes," Brass replied. "I have asked out girls 'you know.'"

"I mean… um," Yale tried.

"How do I do it?" Brass offered.

"Yeah," he said.

"Well it's simple," Brass began. "You go up to the girl you like. Then, now bear with me, you ask them out."

"Like, to the dance and things?" Yale asked.

"…Yes," Brass replied, his patience overtly waning.

"Good."

"We done?"

"Uh… no," Yale said.

"It's not hard," Brass tried.

"What if… what if I want to ask out a guy?" Yale asked.

"Hm?" Brass inquired.

"What if I want to ask out a guy?" Yale repeated.

"Well," Brass started. "Hm. It shouldn't be any different. I mean, instead of girl I guess you go up to the guy you like and ask them out."

"What if… they're on the team?" Yale asked.

"Is it me?" Brass hesitated.

"What? No," Yale quickly said.

"Alright," Brass said. "Because you failed step one."

"Step one?" Yale asked.

Brass lightly tapped Yale on the head saying, "Just ask them out. No build up if you already know them. Just go up to them and say 'Wanna go to the dance with me?' I mean, if you need to say something like 'I think you're cool' or 'great' or something before that, but just keep it simple. If you keep it simple worst case scenario is they say 'No'."

"It could be worse," Yale said. "I mean… Nick's our teammate and – "

"The worst he can do is say no," Brass interrupted. "That's the worst case scenario because then you have to accept they said no. You don't push it. You don't argue for it. You don't play it off as a joke. You realize they said no and continue on. It only gets complicated when you give yourself false hope that it's gonna work out right now. Maybe later, if things actually change, but until then it's a no."

"If he says yes?" Yale asked sheepishly.

"Then you got what you wanted, right?" Brass said exasperated. "Don't pursue it if 'yes' is an issue."

"Alright," Yale said. "Thanks Brass."

"Nice," Brass said, "Imma train now."

Yale walked back to the dorm room. He was reciting the simple question in his head. His heart began to thud louder as he got closer to the dorm. This was his first time asking someone out. He'd been set up by friends, but this was his first stab at it by himself. His hands were sweaty when he grabbed the door handle to the dorm.

"Nick!" Yale found himself shout.

"Whoa! Ok," Nick began defending, "It was just a joke. I didn't know he'd take it seriously."

"What?" Yale asked.

"What?" Nick played dumb.

"Did you… what'd you tell Ember?"

"…nothing."

"I will find out. You know I will."

"If he has any idea how women work he won't actually do it," Nick vaguely justified.

"Anyway," Yale said, clasping his hands in front of him. "I wanted to ask you something."

Without looking up from his computer, Nick asked, "What?"

"I was wondering if you had a date for the dance."

"Hmm… nope. Not yet," Nick replied.

"So, do you," Yale tried, "uh, do you want to go with me?"

Again without looking up he asked, "Like, as friends? Sure, why not."

"Friends?" Yale muttered softly.

"Hm?" Nick asked.

"Nothing," Yale said. "Yeah, I totally meant as friends. Great… uh… awesome. I… uh… just remembered… I forgot to do something while I was out. Be back."

"Later," Nick said.

Yale left the dorm and walked as fast as he could to the end of the hallway. There was a small balcony overlooking the courtyard from this balcony. Yale went to the railing and braced himself against it.

"Friends," Yale whispered. "Fuck! I was so close. Damnit. What if step one isn't enough?"

"Hey Yale," came Ember's voice suddenly from beside Yale.

"Ember?" Yale asked, startled. "How long – "

"Not long enough to know what you're upset about."

"Why are you out here?"

"I vent out here like you."

"Oh god," Yale remembered. "What'd Nick tell you to do?"

"He told me to 'Neg' Pyrrha before asking her out," Ember replied.

"No…" Yale sighed.

"I didn't," Ember quickly responded. "I'm not stupid. I… I… uh… panicked."

"What happened?" Yale asked.

"I went up to her, completely ready to ask her to the dance," Ember began. "I managed 'Hey Pyrrha, would you –' before panicking. I should've just shut up."

"What'd you say?"

"There was a ten second pause before I finished with ' – want to not have red hair?' Then I went on a tangent about hair dye."

"Wow," Yale said. "I mean… I just asked Nick to the dance."

"Really? Good for you. About time you started pushing that."

"He asked as friends and I said yes."

"Oh… well… half way there?"

"Cheers to failure?" Yale said raising a fake glass.

"To failure," Ember agreed.


"So, this is Beacon," Ash commented.

"Yhea," Ember said.

"Egh," Ash mocked disgust before snickering. "Nah, it's pretty cool. Not too different from Shade."

Ember had offered to show Ash and Aero from team AQUA around Beacon before class on Monday. They had to take classes at Beacon while here for the Tournament and of all coincidences they'd ended up in the same class block as Ember. Brass and Nick had gone off with Umber to the gym and later they said they'd head into town. Yale had gone into town to get some things Team EBNY needed in the dorm; it was his turn after all. The last member of AQUA was sleeping in and was going to meet up with everyone at lunch.

"The tall tower…" Aero began, "is that the headmaster's room?"

"Yeah," Ember said.

"I heard Ozpin is really something," Aero said. "Like… really interesting."

"I heard he's lax on rules," Ash said. "Is he?"

"He's…" Ember began before remembering all the adventures Ruby had told him she'd gotten into, "selective on rules."

"How selective?" Ash asked.

The three of them were walking along one of the corridors near the cafeteria. They heard screaming outside the window and went to check it out. All the kids were running out of the cafeteria in a panic of some sort. Ember looked closely through one of the windows and caught a flash of red.

"Oh fu…" Ember began, "you're about to see how selective."

"What?" Aero asked.

They could hear maniacal laughter coming from within the cafeteria. Since this was their first day on Beacon campus, Aero and Ash were enthralled by the window into the events. Then a yellow flash crashed through the ceiling and flew far into the sky.

"Holy sh – " Ash exclaimed, censoring himself.

"What?!" Aero managed between laughs.

"That was Yang," Ember explained calmly. "Hopefully… I think she's the only one who could survive that. So if it isn't…. well, we'll pretend it is."

The three of them watched as Glynda stormed into the cafeteria followed leisurely by Ozpin. Ember knew since Ozpin was there the people involved would get off with a warning. Ember then noticed Yang fall back through the ceiling. Ember wondered how long she'd been airborne and what kind of damage she'd taken.

"Is this… is this normal?" Ash asked holding back laughter.

"More than you'd believe," Ember said.